kdka is facing a fresh wave of viewer questions about its on-air structure and newsroom spending choices, raised publicly in a Wednesday TV Q& A column. The concerns focus on a single-anchor 6 p. m. newscast, a revolving lineup at 7: 30 p. m., and changes in how the station covered Pirates Spring Training. As of 11: 00 a. m. ET, the clearest on-the-record answers point to cost containment efforts connected to corporate ownership and staffing shifts tied to buyouts last August.
What viewers are seeing at Kdka: solo 6 p. m., rotating 7: 30 p. m.
The viewer questions center on an apparent decision that Ken Rice will be the only anchor of the 6 p. m. news for the foreseeable future, while the 7: 30 p. m. newscast features revolving anchors. The same questions also point to a perceived change in story depth and fewer instances of regular reporters being live on scene.
Rob Owen, a TV writer for Trib Total Media, said the moves “do point to cost containment efforts” on the part of KDKA-TV, and that this is likely happening at the behest of its corporate owner, Paramount, a Skydance Corporation. He also noted that single-anchor situations are common at some other CBS owned-and-operated stations.
Owen also flagged what one viewer “noticed” as a possible reason for fewer reporters on the scene: the result of many veteran videographers taking buyouts last August.
Spring Training coverage and the cost-containment question
Another viewer question focused on the station’s approach to Pirates Spring Training coverage this year. The concern: kdka did not send one of its regular sports reporters to Spring Training, which it had done in past years, and instead aired reports featuring Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette.
The viewer described the reports as a standup that appeared to be shot on an iPhone, with poor audio, then covered with B-roll from back at the station. The viewer asked directly whether this was done to save money and lamented that “TV news has changed … and not for the better!”
Owen’s response tied these kinds of decisions to the broader cost-containment theme he observed across the station’s recent moves.
Meghan Schiller’s shift off the 7: 30 anchor role, and what she said
Owen wrote that he was surprised Meghan Schiller no longer anchors at 7: 30 p. m., but said that appears to be the case. He noted that in November, Schiller’s biography on the station’s website said she reports at 4, 5, and 6 p. m. before “switching gears (and outfits)” to anchor the 7: 30 p. m. newscast. He said there is no longer a mention of anchoring at 7: 30, though she is still listed under “anchors” rather than “reporters. ”
Schiller confirmed she wanted off the anchor desk and explained her reasoning in a direct statement: “I’ve absolutely loved anchoring the 7: 30 (I launched it back during the pandemic), but I’m shifting my schedule earlier so I can be home for bath time and bedtime with my two little ones, ” Schiller said. “These early years go quickly, and being present for those moments means a lot to me. It also gives me more time during the day to work on my KDKA Investigations. I’ll still regularly fill in as an anchor when needed during the earlier newscasts at 4, 5 and 6 p. m. ”
Owen also wrote that late last month Josh Taylor moved from a part-time freelance role to full-time with the station and has been seen in the anchor chair at 7: 30 and 10 p. m. with some regularity.
Management response: news director did not reply
The questions from the viewers were also directed toward station leadership. Owen wrote that KDKA news director Cathy Noschese did not respond when he sought comment.
What’s next
In the coming days, the key question for viewers will be whether the current anchoring pattern at kdka remains stable—Ken Rice continuing solo at 6 p. m. and a rotating approach at 7: 30 p. m. —or whether management offers a clearer explanation for the programming and staffing choices. For now, as of 11: 00 a. m. ET, the only confirmed on-the-record framing is Owen’s assessment of cost containment, Schiller’s stated schedule shift, and the noted staffing changes tied to last August’s videographer buyouts.
